Cheap used Cisco Equipment

I might have the need to learn the Cisco OS in the very near future and would like to know if anyone wants to suggest a super cheap used Cisco switch and/or router that would run the latest Cisco OS? I like to purchase my own equipment so that I can research, experiment, and learn at home.

Y-ASK

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eBay, Craigslist, businesses near you.

Pretty cheap you can find kits on eBay.

The other option is software based. Gns3 or packet tracer

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Thanks, I was thinking more along the lines of specific model numbers and OS version recommendations but it seems like there are so many different models that probably doesn’t matter. I do like the idea of a pre-configured kit on e-bay and will probably go that route. I’m guessing it should be running version 15.X…

GNS3 is also good for practising Cisco & Juniper.

https://www.gns3.com/

There is also Cisco Packet Tracer, but dont base all of your studies around that as it is more an emulator than actual IOS and some of the commands are defunct and or incomplete, or they where some moons ago. If it still exists.

For switches 3550, 2960 those are the cheaper ones you’ll find.

Routers 2600, 1800, 2800

A kit like this is all you need
https://www.ebay.com/i/251820335661?chn=ps&ul_ref=https%3A%2F%2Frover.ebay.com%2Frover%2F1%2F711-117182-37290-0%2F2%3Fmpre%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.ebay.com%252Fi%252F251820335661%253Fchn%253Dps%26itemid%3D251820335661%26targetid%3D477790121185%26device%3Dm%26adtype%3Dpla%26googleloc%3D9019732%26poi%3D%26campaignid%3D1591255870%26adgroupid%3D62826452791%26rlsatarget%3Dpla-477790121185%26abcId%3D1139306%26merchantid%3D113747302%26gclid%3DCj0KCQiAvebhBRD5ARIsAIQUmnkTDMa0h5VGi4nU2pJTVhKG-m9LIeERTOwvX9mMxP5ErZJbeo4JcrkaAg6KEALw_wcB%26srcrot%3D711-117182-37290-0%26rvr_id%3D1816522979092%26rvr_ts%3D427a8c301680a99279558d70fffda698

As far as iOS version, the you can train with 12 and learn everything you would need for the real world. But if you plan on taking the test you should train with 15. The next article says how to upgrade for free if there are security concerns.
I’ve never had do try it because I have a service contract through work.

https://damn.technology/free-cisco-ios-updates

That is awesome! Thank you so much. If the job does come through, I will certainly go with something like this.